Perjury
Summary
Perjury is the willful taking of a false oath, treating God's omniscience with irreverence and violating truth—a crime condemned throughout Scripture.
☩Prohibition in the Law
Perjury was strictly prohibited by the Mosaic law as a heinous sin against God. The third commandment declares that the Lord will not hold guiltless anyone who takes His name in vain—including swearing falsely. The Levitical code forbade swearing falsely by God's name, profaning the name of God. The penalty for false testimony was severe: the false witness would receive the punishment that would have fallen on the accused.
☩Prophetic Denunciation
The prophets frequently denounced perjury as evidence of covenant unfaithfulness. Jeremiah condemned those who swore 'As the Lord lives' but swore falsely. Zechariah saw a flying scroll that brought judgment on those who swear falsely by God's name. Malachi declared that God would be a swift witness against those who swear deceitfully.
☩Biblical Examples
Notable instances of perjury include the false witnesses who accused Naboth of blasphemy, leading to his execution so Ahab could seize his vineyard. False witnesses testified against Jesus at His trial, and similar false testimony was brought against Stephen before the Sanhedrin. Peter's denial of Christ with an oath represents another form of perjury.
Related Verses20 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Perjury," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Charles Buck, "Perjury," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).